• invite someone from one of organisations listed below to:
  • speak to your local community group, trade union, church/temple/synagogue
  • contribute to your community group's website
  • contribute an article or insert to your community group's magazine or newsletter.
    
    
• if you feel strongly about something, let others know:
  • write a letter to your local, or national daily newspaper
  • ring a radio phone-in programme
  • respond to a TV or radio programme by ringing the channel's duty officer - not only to complain about what you didn't like but also to enthuse about what you thought was interesting and accurate
  • contribute to web-based discussion groups
  • talk to friends, relations and colleagues about the issues and about new and constructive approaches to crime and punishment.

The courts

• don't try to get excused if you're called up for jury service!
  www.courtservice.gov.uk/fandl/menu_jury.htm
  
  
• become a magistrate.
  www.magistrates-association.org.uk
  0207 387 2353
  
  
• become a member of a youth offending panel.
  A Youth Offender Panel consists of two volunteers recruited directly from the local community, alongside one member of the Youth Offending Team (Yot). They talk to the youngster, the parents and (where possible) the victim of the crime, to agree a tailor-made contract aimed at putting things right.
  www.youth-offender-panels.org.uk
  North: 0191 497 9332
  South: 01483 215350

The police

• become a special constable
  The Special Constabulary is the United Kingdom's part-time police force. It is made up of members of the public who are unpaid volunteers.
  Visit the friendly and informative website of one special constable in Surrey:
  www.scstuff.co.uk/whatisa.htm
  
  
• become a police authority member.
  Police Authorities are the governing bodies of local police forces and consist of councillors, magistrates and independent members of the public.
  Association of Police Authorities' website:
  www.apa.police.uk
  
  

• chaplaincy
  via your local religious minister or directly via the local prison.
  
  
• Board of Visitors
  Every prison or young offenders' institution in England and Wales has an independent Board of Visitors whose members are responsible for safeguarding the well being and rights of the inmates and speaking out on their behalf.
  www.homeoffice.gov.uk/bov/main.htm
  
  
• Visitors centres
  Not all prisons have visitors centres, so you'll need to check with your local prison to see firstly whether they do and secondly which agency runs it.
  
  
• WRVS
  WRVS seeks to tackle social isolation, uphold independence and respect choice throughout Britain for: older and housebound people; families in crisis and people affected by disaster. Their work includes running practical services in prisons.
  www.wrvs.org.uk
  01235 442900
  
  
• Mothers Union
  The Mothers Union are involved in a huge variety of projects in the UK and around the world. They campaign on issues and are involved with policy relating to the family including women's issues, parenting, and social justice
  www.themothersunion.org
  0207 222 5533
  
  
• Iqra
  The IQRA Trust Prisoners Welfare works to promote a better understanding of the needs of Muslim inmates in British prisons.
  www.iqraprisonerswelfare.org
  0207 491 1572
  
  
• SOVA
  SOVA works to strengthen communities by involving local volunteers
  in promoting social inclusion and reducing crime.
  www.sova.org.uk
  0207 793 0404
  
  
• Probation Service
  The aims of the National Probation Service are:
  • to protect the public
  • to reduce re-offending
  • to provide for the proper punishment of offenders
  • to ensure that offenders are aware of the effects of their crimes on their victims and on the public
  • to rehabilitate offenders.

  www.homeoffice.gov.uk/new_indexs/index_probation.htm
  0207 273 4000

• Federation of Prisoners' Families Support Groups
  The Federation promotes the just treatment of prisoners' families by the prison system and society across the UK
  www.fpfsg.org.uk
  0208 741 4578
  
  
• Apex
  By addressing the employability needs of offenders, ex-offenders and young people at risk, Apex Scotland improves employment prospects of clients, therefore reducing offending and contributing to safer communities.
  www.apexscotland.org.uk
  0131 220 0130
  
  
• Nacro
  An independent voluntary organisation working to prevent crime.
  www.nacro.org.uk
  0207 582 6500
  
  
• Crime Concern
  A national crime reduction organisation.
  www.crimeconcern.org.uk
  01793 863 500

Victims

• Victim Support
  Victim Support is the independent charity which helps people cope with the effects of crime.
  www.victimsupport.com
  0207 735 9166
  
  
• Women's Aid
  Women's Aid Federation of England (Women's Aid) is the national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children.
  www.womensaid.org.uk
  0117 944 4411

Community groups

• Nacro
  An independent voluntary organisation working to prevent crime
  www.nacro.org.uk for information about their community groups.
  0207 582 6500
  
  
• Crime Concern
  A national crime reduction organisation
  www.crimeconcern.org.uk for information about their community groups.
  01793 863 500

Community safety

• Neighbourhood Watch
  www.ukwatch.org.uk
  
  
• Community safety partnerships
  These bring together a range of local agencies to work out how best to prioritise and tackle particularly urgent local crime issues to try to bring about a permanent improvement to the quality of life for the community.

Young people

• Divert
  The DIVERT Trust aims to divert vulnerable young people from crime. They do this through engaging with young people in constructive activity and by developing positive relations with adults and peers.
  www.divert.org.uk
  0207 379 6171
  
  
• Nacro
  An independent voluntary organisation working to prevent crime
  www.nacro.org.uk
  0207 582 6500
  
  
• Crime Concern
  A national crime reduction organisation
  www.crimeconcern.org.uk
  01793 863 500
  
  
• Prince's Trust
  The Prince's Trust helps 14-30 year olds to develop confidence, learn new skills and get into work.
  www.princes-trust.org.uk
  0800 842 842
  
  
• local youth service
  Youth services run a range of projects working with young people involved with or at risk of committing crimes, from the traditional youth clubs to intensive mentoring and support schemes.

Drugs

• DrugScope
  DrugScope is the UK's leading drugs charity and centre of expertise on drugs. Their clear and comprehensive website will be able to direct you to your local services
  www.drugscope.org.uk
  020 7928 1211

Whatever you do, please help spread the word!

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